Twenty-two olive ridley sea turtle hatchlings were safely returned to the sea in Dr. Jose P. Rizal, southern Palawan, last week after a resident found them on the shoreline.
One of the smallest marine turtles in the world, olive ridleys are threatened species. It is one of five recorded in Palawan waters, along with green, hawksbill, leatherback, loggerhead turtles.
The Palawan Council for Sustainable Development (PCSD) said Thursday that it was found by resident Morsajebel Calod while walking on the beach on February 10.
Calod gathered the hatchlings and turned them over to the fisheries and aquatic management council, which coordinated with the Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Office of the town.
“Agad na nakipag-ugnayan sa PCSDS ang MENRO Rizal para sa pag-release ng hatchlings sa kanilang natural na tahanan,” the PCSD stated.
The PCSD said a resident who acted responsibly led to community action for protection of the olive ridleys.
